A new £240,000 bridge has been swung into place as work starts to restore a vital link for residents and workers alongside the Leeds- Liverpool Canal in Saltaire.

It's six months since the old Hirst Wood Swing Bridge was irreparably damaged when steel beams supporting the structure suddenly collapsed.

British Waterways, who commissioned its replacement, had set an August deadline to put it right, but delays in drawing up its design and obtaining the correct materials delayed the project by two months.

It will be a relief when the work is finished as residents living on the other side of the canal have had to negotiate a rough, narrow track through the grounds of Saltaire Sports Association.

Although signposted, the diversion has proved a nuisance for Sunny Chana who runs Saltaire Garden Centre. His takings have been down 80 per cent and he has not been able to pay himself a wage for a year.

"All I can say is its going to be here for next year, my opportunity has gone until then.

"Hopefully the new bridge will mean more customers will be able to get to me and I'll be able to transport my stock in as normal. I'm having Christmas trees delivered so we'll have to see how that goes."

It was more joy than relief for retired teacher John Hazel who was in Saltaire to capture footage of the bridge being slotted across the canal.

He travelled from his home in Leicestershire especially to record the occasion. It will be the 1,180th moveable bridge featured on his website which aims to identify all such crossings in the British Isles.

Fred Hartley, senior project manager for British Waterways Yorkshire, said: "We are really pleased with the final design and delighted that the access route has been fully restored.

"A great deal of work went in to ensuring that any disruption caused was kept to a minimum and bring the scheme to a close as quickly as possible. During the works we have also been able to make improvements to the pedestrian access around the lock."

He added that the bridge should be fully operational for vehicles crossing the canal on Wednesday.